Hero Taylor is called 'a cheat and coward' by Dutch boss

Foppe de Haan accused the defender of feigning the extent of his injury in a bid to dodge the penalty shoot-out, which England lost 13-12, following the 1-1 semi-final draw in Heerenveen last night.

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Heartache: Brave Taylor consoles Anton Ferdinand after he misses England's final penalty in the sudden death shootout

Taylor hurt his leg towards the end of normal time but could not be replaced as England had used all their substitutes.

He struggled on for the rest of the game but then left the pitch just before he was due to take a penalty only to be told by referee Knut Kircher to return, following a protest by de Hann.

The Dutch coach also confronted Taylor but the Newcastle player still managed to keep his cool and fire in the spot-kick.

"I was down to take penalty No10 but the fourth official told me to go off," said Taylor.

"As I'm walking away their manager called me a coward and a cheat, but I had no problem at all.

"I wanted to take it and prove him wrong. I couldn't believe he could call me something like that, and there was no better feeling than when I hit the back of the net.

"I was delighted to score but it wasn't to be for the rest of the lads.

"It's the biggest disappointment in my career so far — coming so close. We did ourselves proud and we kept battling."

The defeat meant heartbreak for coach Stuart Pearce but he is already looking to the people as we rise up the Premiership table.

"The City board would have looked at him to see if he had the money and looked at his background, and supporters can only rely on the club doing the right thing.

"The reality is if you take out his stint as England manager, he would be coming to us a club coach — and his record as a club coach is very good.

"We need a good coach to come in with a list of players who are available."